Astros starter Ronel Blanco suspended for foreign substance

Houston Astros right-handed pitcher Ronel Blanco has been fined an undisclosed amount and suspended 10 games for a violation of rules governing foreign substances, Major League Baseball announced Wednesday.

Blanco was thrown out of Tuesday's 2-1 victory in 10 innings over the Oakland Athletics at Houston's Minute Maid Park when a sticky substance was discovered in his glove during a standard inspection.

Umpire Erich Bacchus checked Blanco's glove as Blanco headed out to start the fourth inning and called the other umpires in to confirm his findings.

Blanco, 30, has been among the few bright spots for an Astros team struggling through the season's first quarter. The right-hander is 4-0 with a 2.09 ERA in eight starts.

He no-hit the Toronto Blue Jays on April 1 in his first start of the season.

Despite their three-game winning streak following Tuesday's victory, the Astros are a disappointing 17-25 this season.

Barring appeals, Blanco will begin serving his suspension Wednesday night as Houston plays the third of its four-game series with Oakland.

-Field Level Media